Deformation element

ABSTRACT

A deformation element ( 5; 6; 7 ) for the interior of motor vehicles ( 1 ), preferably for being mounted in hollow spaces between the vehicle body parts ( 2; 3; 4 ), such as vehicle columns ( 2; 3 ), and an inner lining ( 15 ), is constructed as a ledge, which can be deformed over its longitudinal extent (L) and adapted to the outer outline configuration of car body parts ( 2; 3; 4 ) and which has several deformable regions ( 12; 13; 14 ) over its longitudinal extent (L).

[0001] The invention relates to a deformation element for the interior of motor vehicles, as defined in the introductory portion of claim 1.

[0002] The DE 198 25 040 A1 shows a shock-absorbing device, which comprises a support, which is essentially L-shaped in plan view, embraces a car body column and is kept at a distance from the latter by means of a deformable leaf spring structure. The leaf spring structure is constructed so that it has two mutually intersecting semicircular bridge elements, which are offset from one another by 180° and held one above the other, the plane of the semicircles being essentially perpendicular to the plane of the vehicle column. With such a shock-absorbing device, it is possible to counteract only an impact force, which acts essentially perpendicular to the line of intersection of the two semicircular bridge elements on the device. There is therefore only a pointwise spring system.

[0003] It is an object of the invention to provide an improvement here.

[0004] Pursuant to the invention, this objective is accomplished by a deformation element with the distinguishing features of claim 1 or of claim 5, which can be combined with the distinguishing features of claim 1, or of claim 8, which can also be combined with the distinguishing features of claim 1. Further advantageous developments of the invention are given in claims 2 to 4, 6 and 7, as well as 9.

[0005] Owing to the fact that the inventive deformation element of claim 1 is deformable as a whole over its longitudinal extent, it can cover a wide region of the outline configuration of car the body part and, in this region, function as impact protection. Several deformable regions are available, so that forces, introduced at different places of the car body and from different directions, can be intercepted and the deformation element functions as protection in the case of a frontal accident as well as in the case of a side crash or if the vehicle overturns. In each of these cases, the points of impact and the directions, in which the forces are introduced, are different.

[0006] In the case of the solution of claim 5, a high stability of the deformation element is achieved since, in the case of an impact, the direction, in which the force is introduced, would extend essentially in the plane, in which the reinforcing skins extend. Even if only one deformable region is constructed from a wave crest opposite a wave trough, a stability, better than that of the state of the art, would be achieved therewith by the stiffening skin even when the forces are introduced from different directions. This solution is realized particularly advantageously also within a deformable longitudinal strip, which is fitted to the respective car body structure.

[0007] In the case of the solution of claim 8, elastically deformable pins are provided as energy absorbers and exhibit a relatively high energy absorption even in the case of obliquely introduced forces and lateral kinking, so that the passenger protection is improved also in this version. In particular, advantages arise also here when several regions, carrying such pins, are connected with one another and adapted to, as a whole, to the shape of the body.

[0008] Further advantages and distinguishing features arise out of the examples of the object of the invention, which are explained in the following and shown in the drawing in which

[0009]FIG. 1 shows a motor vehicle with body columns, to which inventive deformation elements are assigned,

[0010]FIG. 2 shows a section along the line II-II in FIG. 1, there being deformation elements of claim 1,

[0011]FIG. 3 shows a deformation element of claim 1,

[0012]FIG. 4 shows a view from the direction IV onto the first material strip of the deformation element of FIG. 3,

[0013]FIG. 5 shows a section along the line V-V in FIG. 3,

[0014]FIG. 6 shows a prospective plan view of an alternative deformation element of claim 5,

[0015]FIG. 7 shows the part of FIG. 6 inside view and

[0016]FIG. 8 shows a view, similar to that of FIG. 2, of the alternative construction of the deformation element.

[0017] For a motor vehicle 1, which can be constructed as a closed vehicle or as a convertible and, at the parts of the body of the vehicle, adjoining the interior, has an A column 2, a rollover hoop 3 or interior parts 4 of the door, deformation elements 5, 6, 7, which differ depending on the example, are provided and constructed in each case as ledges and, over their longitudinal extent L, have several deformable regions 12, 13, 14. The ledges may have a transverse extent Q, which exceeds the longitudinal extent L. Several deformation elements 5, 6, 7 may also be disposed next to one another, so as to offer a complete protection over the longitudinal extent of the car body part 2, 3, 4. The deformation elements 5, 6, 7 are deformable as a whole in such a manner over their longitudinal extent, that they can be placed around a body part, deformed about a vehicle column 2, 3 or an edge of the door lining 4 or the like, in order to form thus an intermediate layer from different sides between the body part 2, 3, 4 and the outer lining 15, facing the interior of the vehicle. The deformation of the ledges 5, 6, 7 over their longitudinal extent may be either elastic or regionally plastic. In each case, adaptation to the shape of the car body part 2, 3, 4 is achieved. The deformable regions 12, 13, 14 are constructed in such a manner that, essentially perpendicular to the outer wall of the car body part 2, 3, 4, that is, parallel to possible directions 9, 10, 11, in which forces are introduced, they can develop a resistance and absorb energy by deformation, which counteracts the force introduced from the outside, for example, by impact with a person or an object.

[0018] In FIG. 2, a deformation element 5 with 93 deformable regions is drawn. The deformation element 6, drawn in FIGS. 3 to 5, has considerably more deformable regions 12. For example, these can in each case have an extent of about 2 to 3 cm and a ledge typically can have five to eight such deformable regions 12.

[0019] In accordance with the example shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the deformation element 6 is formed by several strips 17, 18, which are placed parallel to one another and parallel to the longitudinal extent L of the ledge, extend periodically in the longitudinal direction and, moreover, are curved in an undulating manner. The strips 17, 18 are connected with one another at crossing points 19, 20 lying in their central plane and in each case form wave crests 21 and wave troughs 22, adjacent strips 17, 18 having a phase difference of 180°, that is, in each case one wave trough 22 of a strip 17 strikes a wave crest 21 of an adjacent strip 18 and the vice versa. The deformation element 5 or 6 may be constructed as a one-piece component, for example, as an injection-molded part. Different plastics come into consideration. Basically, metallic materials are also possible. Preferably, the deformation element 5, 6, 7 is constructed so that the deformation is elastic over the largest possible region, that is, in the case of a slight impact, the component is regenerated and therefore not damaged permanently.

[0020] In order to stiffen it, the deformation element 6 contains thin stiffening skins 23, in each case closing off the passages or free spaces between the mutually adjacent wave crests 21 and wave troughs 22, so that, when looking in the direction of the arrow IV, there are only filled-up area regions and no free spaces between the wave crests 21 and the wave troughs 22. During the deformation, these offer appreciable resistance, so that such deformation elements 6, in comparison to those 5 with interstices left free, have a greater hardness and power of resistance. The deformation elements 6 can also be constructed as one-piece injection molded parts. Such deformation elements 6 offer a considerable improvement over the state of the art even in the case of only one wave crest 21 and one wave trough 22, since they can intercept the deformation from various directions and offer a considerable stiffening even when a force is introduced obliquely. Preferably, these deformation elements 6 are also constructed as longitudinally extended ledges, which comprise several deformable regions 12. The stiffening skins 23 extend at right angles to the strips 17 or 18. The strips 17, 18 are firmly connected to one another over the stiffening skins 23, the connection being continuous over all strips 17, 18 extending in the longitudinal dissection.

[0021] In accordance with a further example (FIG. 6 to 8), the deformation element 7 comprises one or more flat supporting region or regions 25, from which pins 8 extend, which can be deformed essentially perpendicularly and elastically and, in the installed position, face the car body part 2, 3, 4. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the pins 8 may all have a uniform length or, as shown in FIG. 8, the pins 8 may have different lengths in adaptation to the width of the interstices between the car body part 2, 3, 4 and an outer lining 15. Even in the case of a single flat region 25, forces, introduced from different directions 9, 10, 11, can be intercepted because of the plurality of the pins 8. In every case, several pins 8 are deformed. The forces are introduced at several places and therefore not only pointwise at one place. The deformable region 14 extends over the whole of the distribution of the pins 8.

[0022] Pursuant to the construction of FIG. 8, several flat regions 25 are provided, which are connected with one another over film hinges and are disposed essentially semicircularly about a vehicle column 2, 3. Such a component can also be formed in one piece as an injection molded part. The deformation of the pins 8 preferably is also elastic in order to make possible the recovery of the components after an impact. Here, as in the case of the other examples also, provisions can be made so that, when a limiting force is exceeded, plastic deformation sets in. 

1. A deformation element (5; 6; 7) for the interior of motor vehicles (1), preferably for mounting in hollow spaces between the vehicle body parts (2; 3; 4), such as vehicle columns (2; 3), and an inner lining (15), with a ledge, which can be deformed over its longitudinal extent (L) and adapted to the outer outline configuration of car body parts (2; 3; 4) and which has several deformable regions (12; 13; 14) over its longitudinal extent (L).
 2. The deformation element of claim 1, wherein the deformable regions (12; 13; 14) offer a resistance essentially perpendicularly to the outer wall of the car body part (2; 3; 4), surrounded by the ledge.
 3. The deformation element of one of the claims 1 or 2, wherein the deformation element (5; 6; 7) extends over its longitudinal extent (L) in the installed position essentially semicircularly about a vehicle column (2; 3).
 4. The deformation element of one of the claims 1 to 3, wherein the deformable regions (12; 13) are formed by strips (17; 18), which are placed parallel to the longitudinal extent of the ledge and which are curved periodically in an undulating fashion in the longitudinal direction and offset to one another in such a manner, that the wave crest (21) of one ledge strip (17) is adjacent to the wave trough (22) of the next ledge strip (18) and vice versa.
 5. The deformation element (6) for the interior of vehicles preferably for being mounted in hollow spaces between the vehicle body parts (2; 3; 4), such as vehicle columns (2; 3) and an inner lining (15), especially of one of the claims 1 to 4, wherein a ledge, which is formed by several strips (17; 18), which extend parallel to one another in the longitudinal direction (L) of the ledge and are curved in an undulating fashion in the longitudinal direction (L) and, at the same time, are offset alternatingly to one another, so that a wave crest (21) in each case is adjacent to a wave trough (22) and vice versa, the passage or passages and free space or free spaces between the adjacent wave crest or crests (21) and wave trough or troughs (22) in each case being filled up by a thin stiffening skin (23).
 6. The deformation element of claim 5, wherein the stiffening skins (23) extend at right angles from the edges of the strips (17; 18) and, between one another, form hollow spaces (H) having approximately the width of a strip.
 7. The deformation element of claims 5 or 6, wherein the strips (17; 18) are firmly connected with one another over the stiffening skins (23) and, with that, a continuous connection exists between all strips (17; 18) extending in the longitudinal direction (L) of the ledges.
 8. The deformation element (7) for the interior of motor vehicles, preferably for being mounted in hollow spaces between vehicle body parts (2; 3; 4), such as vehicle columns (2; 3) and an inner lining (15), especially of one of the claims 1 to 3, wherein the deformation element (7) has at least one plane supporting region (25), from which pins (8) extend, which are deformable essentially perpendicularly and elastically and, in the connected position of the parts, face the car body part (2; 3; 4).
 9. The deformation element of claim 8, wherein several flat regions (25) are connected elastically with one another over film hinges. 